Julia Gillard’s former chief-of-staff Ben Hubbard on advisory contracts with commonwealth agencies

Julia Gillard’s former chief-of-staff, Ben Hubbard, has won several contracts with commonwealth agencies, including the Prime Minister’s department.

Ben Hubbard, former chief-of-staff to Julia Gillard, has won several contracts with commonwealth agencies since last year’s federal election, including the Prime Minister’s department. Picture: Kym Smith

Julia Gillard’s former chief-of-staff, Ben Hubbard – who helped Anthony Albanese’s transition into government – has won several contracts with commonwealth agencies since last year’s federal election, including the Prime Minister’s department.

Mr Hubbard has claimed three “strategic advisory” contracts with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, ­Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Public ­Service Commission valued at almost $134,000.

The veteran Victorian Labor operative, who was last year ­appointed by Daniel Andrews as chair and director of VicForests, was also paid by taxpayers in a four-month role supporting Mr Albanese’s transition to ­government.

Mr Hubbard, who was a senior adviser to former Victorian premier Steve Bracks and served as Ms Gillard’s chief-of-staff until 2013 when she was ousted by Kevin Rudd, helped recruit staff and set up ministerial offices for the Albanese government ­between May and September.

Over a five-month period between last August and January, Mr Hubbard’s Creswell Advisory has been recruited by the government to provide both “strategic planning and consultation services” and “management advisory services”.

When approached for comment, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said: “Contracts are awarded by departments to suitable tenderers in line with the contract requirements.”

Government ministers are expected to face questioning about the awarding of contracts to Mr Hubbard’s advisory firm when senate estimates hearings begin on Monday. Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said Labor must reveal why the former staffer has been hired. “The government has questions to answer as to why a former Labor staffer is being provided with limited tenders,” she said.

“We will be holding the Albanese government to account on their commitment to keep the public service independent.”

Mr Hubbard has close ­relationships with senior federal cabinet ministers, who he worked closely with as Ms Gillard’s top adviser. The former Victoria Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority chief executive is considered a go-to for the Victorian Labor government, with Mr Hubbard also sitting on the board of the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, tasked with delivering Mr ­Andrews’ $125bn project.

Mr Hubbard, top, listens as Julia Gillard speaks during her time as prime minister. Picture: Kym Smith

Senator Gallagher this month accused the former Coalition government of presiding over a “jobs for mates” culture on public sector boards. She told a Chifley Research Centre conference in Canberra that people should be “appointed for what they know, not who they know”.

Mr Hubbard declined to comment. The government has commissioned a review of the public sector board appointment process to ensure candidates are chosen on merit.

According to AusTender, the former Labor staffer was commissioned between August and December to provide “management advisory” services for DPMC, valued at up to $45,980.

Mr Hubbard, who is chair of YMCA and a distinguished visiting scholar at the University of Melbourne School of Government, was also awarded a “strategic planning” contract for the Department of Home Affairs from January to June this year, valued at $66,000. He was hired by the Australian Public Service Commission to provide management services from October last year to June 2023, valued at $22,000. The nature of the work he is providing to Home Affairs, DPMC and APSC is unclear.

Mr Hubbard was awarded contracts under the Morrison government for services for the Australian Public Service Commission. He was part of a panel led by David Thodey with John Howard’s former principal adviser Tony Nutt and former NZ prime minister John Key’s chief-of-staff Wayne Eagleson to develop guidance and training for public servants and parliamentary staffers.